Automatic medical valve with a variable diameter seal

Abstract

A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between proximal and distal tube ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the distal tube end, and a valve housing surrounds the tube and extends between proximal and distal valve housing ends. The valve housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly from the distal valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the flange to establish a closed condition of the medical valve assembly. The elastomeric seal axially moves one of the valve housing and the tube relative to the other when a medical device is inserted into the medical valve assembly to automatically increase the distance dimension and establish an open and sealed condition of the medical valve assembly with the inserted medical valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical valve assembly for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient, comprising:
 a tube having a proximal tube end and a distal tube end and defining a passageway extending along an axis A between said tube ends; 
 a plunger plate extending radially from said proximal tube end of said tube; 
 a valve housing surrounding said tube about said proximal tube end and extending from a proximal valve housing end to a distal valve housing end; 
 said valve housing including a flange extending radially inwards from said proximal valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with said plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween; 
 an elastomeric seal having an inner diameter, the elastomeric seal being compressed between said plunger plate and said flange to reduce said inner diameter of the elastomeric seal and establish a closed condition of the medical valve assembly; and 
 said elastomeric seal configured to axially move one of the valve housing and the tube relative to the other when a medical device is inserted into the medical valve assembly and disposed in engaged relationship with the elastomeric seal to automatically increase the distance dimension between the plunger plate and the flange for allowing the inner diameter of the elastomeric seal to increase and establish an open and sealed condition of the medical valve assembly with the inserted medical valve. 
 
     
     
       2. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a compression member disposed within said valve housing and biased against said plunger plate for decreasing said inner diameter to establish a closed condition of the medical valve assembly. 
     
     
       3. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said elastomeric seal is configured to transfer an insertion force exerted on said elastomeric seal by the inserted medical device to said compression member to effectuate the axial movement of one of the valve housing and the tube relative to the other. 
     
     
       4. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said inner diameter is increased proportionately with said distance dimension D. 
     
     
       5. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric seal extends between a proximal seal end to a distal seal end to define a pair of end portions disposed about the seal ends and a center portion disposed therebetween, and said inner diameter of said elastomeric seal being tapered radially inwards from said end portions to said center portion to define an hour-glass cross-sectional shape of said elastomeric seal in a non-compressed state. 
     
     
       6. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric seal extends between a proximal seal end to a distal seal end to define a pair of end portions disposed about said seal ends and a center portion disposed therebetween, and a pair of slots each extending radially inwardly from said inner diameter of said elastomeric seal and disposed between a respective end portion and said center portion. 
     
     
       7. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein each of said end portions of said elastomeric seal are respectively secured to said plunger plate or said proximal valve housing end of said valve housing. 
     
     
       8. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said plunger plate defines a plunger plate surface extending in spaced and parallel relationship to said axis A and said valve housing overlays said plunger plate surface for allowing one of said plunger plate and said valve housing to slide relative to one another along said plunger plate surface during said axial movement. 
     
     
       9. The medical valve assembly as set in  claim 2 , wherein said compression member includes a coil spring radially disposed between said valve housing and said tube and compressed between said distal valve housing end and said plunger plate. 
     
     
       10. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising an end cap interconnected to the distal valve housing end and disposed in surrounding relationship with said tube to establish a shoulder extending radially inward from said valve housing and disposed in engagement with said compression member. 
     
     
       11. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said end cap defines an end cap opening disposed concentrically around said distal tube end of said tube for maintaining a concentric relationship between said valve housing and said elastomeric seal. 
     
     
       12. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said end cap includes a plurality of locking tabs extending radially therefrom and said valve housing defines a plurality of locking apertures disposed circumferentially about said distal valve housing end for establishing mechanical interlocked relationship between said end cap and said valve housing. 
     
     
       13. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a hub interconnected to said distal tube end for facilitating assembly of the medical valve assembly to an introducer sheath. 
     
     
       14. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said hub includes a tapered portion configured to receive the introducer sheath and a plurality of threads disposed next adjacent the tapered portion, and a compression nut secured by threads to said hub for establishing a compression fit of the introducer sheath between said compression nut and said tapered portion of said hub. 
     
     
       15. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising an o-ring disposed about said distal tube end to establish a sealed relationship between said tube and said hub. 
     
     
       16. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said tube defines an access hole extending from said plunger plate surface and radially through said plunger plate to dispose said access hole in fluid communication with said passageway. 
     
     
       17. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 16 , further including an extension tube and stop cock in fluid communication with said access hole for facilitating a flushing of the medical valve assembly. 
     
     
       18. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said valve housing defines at least one track extending axially from said distal valve end for allowing the extension tube to slide within said track during axial movement of said valve housing and said tube relative to one another. 
     
     
       19. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a clip slidably disposed over said proximal valve housing end of said valve housing for allowing a user of the medical valve assembly to pre-open said elastomeric seal prior to insertion of the medical device into the medical valve assembly. 
     
     
       20. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said proximal valve housing end defines a pair of guides and said clip includes a pair of rails each disposed in mating and slidable relationship with a respective guide when said clip is disposed over the proximal valve housing end of the valve housing. 
     
     
       21. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said clip includes a first curved portion disposed in abutting and mating relationship with said hub when said clip is disposed in a first position axial to said valve housing relative to said tube and maintains the elastomeric seal in a slightly opened position. 
     
     
       22. The medical valve assembly as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said clip includes a second curved portion slidable along said hub in response to a downward movement of said clip for axially moving said valve housing relative to said tube to pre-open the medical valve assembly.